NEWSMAKERS.

U2's Popmart Tour To Play Soldier Field

February 13, 1997|By Greg Kot.

U2 announced plans Wednesday for one of the most ambitious rock tours of the decade. The band will play stadiums in 62 cities in 20 countries, including a June 27 performance at Soldier Field. Tickets ($52.70 and $37.50) for the Chicago date will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ticketmaster outlets and by phone. There will be a 10-ticket limit per person. Random number distribution will begin at Ticketmaster outlets at 9 a.m. Saturday. No camping will be allowed.

U2's PopMart tour, which begins April 25 in Las Vegas, is designed to evoke a science-fiction disco, with a 150-by-50-foot video screen, in keeping with the dance-oriented vibe of the group's new record, "Pop," due out March 4. A 200-person crew and 1,200 tons of equipment will be needed to stage the show, which will be transported on 15 buses and 52 trucks. The video network VH1 will sell some tickets for the Chicago date beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, when an 800 number will be flashed on the screen, with a limit of six tickets per caller.